A state-run Chinese newspaper accused Donald Trump of "pandering to 'irresponsible' attitudes" Tuesday after the president-elect alleged that Beijing had failed to rein in North Korea’s nuclear program.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Sunday that his country was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Having conducted three nuclear tests during Kim's five years in power, he is thought to be pursuing the missile technology it would need to attack South Korea. North Korea also has designs on reaching the U.S. military outpost of Guam and the U.S. mainland itself.

Trump tweeted Monday that the prospect of North Korea developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the U.S. "won't happen," but offered no other details as to why that would be the case.

It responded to Trump’s tweets by stating that he was "pandering to 'irresponsible' attitudes" and stoking “the anxieties of some Americans" who blame China rather than looking inward, according to The Associated Press.

China is North Korea’s main ally and a key economic supporter. While Beijing has frequently condemned North Korean nuclear tests, Defense Secretary Ash Carter stated in September that the fact they had gotten so far was the responsibility of China.